A British Baptist Church minister has been charged with child sex offences in the United States.

Robert Dando, 46, from Surrey, is charged with attacking two boys in Fairfax County, Virginia.

A spokeswoman for the Baptist Union of Great Britain said Dando, senior minister at Worcester Park Baptist Church in Surrey, was being held at the Fairfax Detention Centre in Fairfax County.

"He has tendered his resignation from Worcester Park Baptist Church with immediate effect. The church and his family would welcome some space at this difficult time," she said.

A spokeswoman for Fairfax County Police Department said Dando, 46, of Sherbrooke Way, Worcester Park, had been charged with four counts of aggravated sexual battery.

"In December 2009, a 21-year-old victim of sexual abuse came forward to Fairfax Police. The victim, who was between eight and 13 at the time of the abuse, alleges he was assaulted by a visiting family friend between 1995 and 1999, in a private residence in Fairfax County.

"Police initiated an investigation and discovered a second victim, who is now 17, who said he was abused under similar circumstances, when he was around seven or eight.

"The suspect was arrested on July 23 and is a resident of the UK, who was travelling here, in Fairfax County."